Overview

What’s the skiing like? The pretty Alpine village of Obergurgl offers high-altitude skiing up to 3,080m. It is one of the most snow-sure ski resorts in Europe with most of its slopes above 2000m and a ski season spanning November to May. The 112km of slopes are served by state-of-the-art lifts, often with heated seats. Skiers will find quiet, open slopes with no lift queues.

Best suited to? Beginners and intermediates

Beginners like the snow-sure slopes, good English-speaking ski schools and friendly villages. The children’s area in Obergurgl is served by three magic carpets and is complete with Bobo the penguin. Families enjoy the Fun Slope with its bridges, tunnels, rails and jumps.

Intermediates can head to the good cruising blues and reds just below the summit of Festkogl. Or those wanting to stretch their legs on longer runs, head to the mid-mountain red and blue slopes of neighbouring Hochgurgl.

Advanced skiers love the off-piste opportunities here, particularly those surrounding the Hohe Mut at 2,670m. The deep, untouched powder is a favourite for freeriders in the know.

Those looking for more challenging pistes can head to nearby Solden or Vent, both included in the Obergurgl lift pass.

The Audi Quattro terrain park at 2,120m has 22 features including kickers, boxes and rails.

What’s the resort like? The traditional village of Obergurgl has an 18th-Century church and hardly any traffic. There are limited shops in the resort but a good selection of accommodation, including B&Bs, apartments some plush 4- and 5-star hotels with luxurious spas and ski-in/ski-out facilities.

The apres-ski in Obergurgl is not for hardcore drinkers, it’s more about live bands and dancing, and a particularly favourite is the Nederhutte mountain restaurant. But there is a nightclub, the Josl-Keller, with a DJ in the resort.

Off the slopes? Enjoy tobogganing and the outdoor ice-skating rink. Slightly random but you can visit Europe’s highest motorcycle museum at the Top Mountain Crosspoint. Or take the gondola up to the Top Mountain Star (3,030m) for 360-degree views of the Otztaler peaks and even the Italian Dolomites. Enjoy a hot chocolate in front of the fire at the Hohe Mut Alm (854m) mountain restaurant.

Downside? In bad weather the slopes can be quite exposed as they’re above the treeline. Advanced skiers may find the local slopes limited but can access the other ski areas in the Otztal Valley ski pass.